| abstract |
The invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core, a cover and optionally an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, wherein at least one of the core, the intermediate layer and the cover comprises a moisture vapor barrier layer formed from a moisture vapor barrier composition comprising at least one diene rubber and at least one fluorinated silane treated filler. The filler is hydrophobically modified by fluorinated silane, a hydrophobizing material capable of rendering the surfaces of the silica particles suitably hydrophobic. This moisture vapor barrier composition, which may be incorporated in the golf ball prior to molding, protects the encased inner golf ball components from moisture penetration which damages the golf ball and deteriorates desired golf ball characteristics. Such a golf ball preserves and even enhances optimum golf ball properties and desired golf ball characteristics such as high spin, resilience and durability which may be negatively influenced or impacted by unintended changes in golf ball component compression, COR and hardness due to moisture invasion. The golf ball may comprise an untreated region and a treated outer surface, the treated outer surface having a moisture vapor transmission rate X and the untreated region having a moisture vapor transmission rate Y, the treated outer surface being treated with and comprising a moisture vapor barrier composition formed from at least one diene rubber and at least one fluorinated silane treated filler such that X<Y. |